Visiting Lecture Series

Upstate Medical University is pleased to offer its visiting lecture series to bring undergraduates a lively and informative lecture with one of our faculty members.

The professors in our series are published, funded investigators conducting groundbreaking research in their individual fields. Each professor's lecture will include a brief presentation on the biomedical graduate degree programs and student research offerings at SUNY Upstate.

This free, innovative program is designed to spark interest in the biomedical sciences and to further awareness among students and faculty of opportunities at SUNY Upstate. To schedule one of our lecturers to come to your campus, please complete the visiting scholar request form

SUNY Upstate Visiting Lecturers 2014-2015

Jeffrey Amack, PhD
Cell & Developmental BiologyHeart Development in the Zebrafish Embryo
Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect. My lab uses the zebrafish embryo as a model system to find genes that control heart development and disease.

David Amberg, PhD
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyUnderstanding the Complexities of Actin Function
A presentation on my laboratories research will focus on our multidisciplinary approaches to identifying and understanding the functions of actin and the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells. In addition, Dr. Amberg will discuss the process for obtaining a PhD in biomedical research.

Peter Calvert, PhD
Ophthalmology and Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyWatching cell signaling live: what we are learning about biochemistry by imaging active cells.
Work in my lab is aimed at understanding signaling and behavior at the molecular level in living cells. Protein dynamics, measured with multiphoton and confocal microscopy, is changing our understanding how cell sensitivity to environmental stimuli is controlled.

Xin Jie Chen, PhD
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyMechanism of Mitochondrial Genome Maintenance
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell and the maintenance of mitochondrial DNA is critical for energy homeostasis. We are interested in studying how damaged mitochondrial DNA is repaired and how mitochondrial damage contributes to cell aging.

Wenyi Feng, PhD
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyChromosome fragility: When Replication Goes Awry
We are interested in the mechanisms of how replication defects lead to DNA strand breakage, chromosomal rearrangements and genome instability, which are the underlying cause of many human diseases including cancer. We also develop novel methods using NextGen sequencing to identify chromosome fragile sites in the human genome.

Stephen J. Glatt, PhD
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Neuroscience & PhysiologyBiomarkers for Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Unlike many other medical conditions, neuropsychiatric disorders are currently diagnosed based only on behavioral reports and clinical observation rather than biomarkers. The presentation will summarize the latest efforts to identify valid biomarkers for these disorders, which should facilitate earlier identification and intervention and better outcomes.

Steven Hanes, PhD
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyUsing Model Organisms to Study Development & Disease
This introduction to model organisms in biomedical research includes how we study how information is decoded from the DNA to switch genes on and off during embryonic development.

Stewart Loh, PhD
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyDesign of Biomolecular Switches; p53 Folding, Misfolding, and Cancer
Our lab uses the tools of protein folding, engineering, and design to develop mechanisms by which ordinary proteins can be converted into switches, and for understanding how p53 mutations contribute to cancer and how mutant p53 can be reactivated by small molecules.

Eric C. Olson, PhD
Neuroscience & PhysiologyPutting Dendrites In Their Place: The Role of the Reelin-Signaling Pathway In Organizing Brain Structure
Covers the basic cellular processes underlying mammalian brain development. Then focuses on our efforts to understand Reelin-signaling and the early differentiation and positioning of cortical neurons through the use of multiphoton microscopy and time-lapse imaging.

Francesca Pignoni, PhD
Developmental BiologyStem Cell self-renewal in the Drosophila germline
The Drosophila female germline is among the best-studied Stem Cell models in any organism, permitting analysis at single cell resolution through clonal techniques. This presentation will illustrate the discovery of a novel signaling component that regulates stem cell self-renewal.

David W. Pruyne, PhD
Cell & Developmental BiologyFrom Yeast to Muscles — Using Model Systems to Understand How Cells Build Their Cytoskeleton
A cytoskeleton of actin filaments provides a framework for the body's cells. We have developed a model for how the highly ordered actin arrays in muscle cells are assembled through study of successively more complicated systems, from in vitro biochemistry to budding yeast and finally, the simple animal C. elegans.

Mark E. Schmitt, PhD
Dean, College of Graduate Studies; Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyAll Ribosomes are Not Created Equal
Ribosomes are extremely ancient RNA-based enzymes that catalyze protein synthesis in all organisms. Ribosomes differ in their RNA and protein composition and these subtle differences confer different functions that control and regulate the translation process.

Vladimir Sirotkin, PhD
Cell & Developmental BiologyEndocytosis by the Numbers: Investigation of the Mechanisms of Endocytosis by Quantitative Live Cell Imaging
The actin cytoskeleton dynamics are responsible for changes in cell shape. By counting the numbers of molecules in live cells, we investigate how cells control the actin filament assembly driving membrane deformation during endocytosis.

Dan Tso, PhD
NeurosurgeryPlasticity and the Dynamic Brain: Wiring, Injury and Re-wiring
Recent evidence has forced a greater appreciation of the extent to which the adult brain is capable of remarkable rewiring and plasticity, particularly in order to adapt to changes in the environment or in response to brain injury. We will explore the fixed versus plastic nature of the adult brain and some of the underlying neural mechanisms.

Andrea Viczian, PhD
OphthalmologyWhat the frog can teach us: Pluripotent stem cells to eyes
Pluripotent stem cells have the capacity to form any cell in our body, but directing them to specific cell types has been a challenge. We have discovered the seven genes necessary to drive them to form functional retinal cells in frog and are using that technology to drive mouse pluripotent stem cells to retina.

Steven Youngentob, PhD
Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesDoes Mother Nature Always Know Best? Fetal Ethanol Experience and Chemosensory Plasticity: Its Contribution to Adolescent Alcohol Abuse
Human studies point to a relationship between fetal alcohol exposure and adolescent abuse. Our studies reveal that fetal exposure alters development of smell and taste so the aversive odor and flavor of alcohol become more acceptable, thereby enhancing intake.